Dallas Independent School District

02/10/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/10/2026 09:05

Dallas ISD News: Six Irma Rangel seniors earn prestigious full-ride scholarships

Six Irma Rangel seniors earn prestigious full-ride scholarships

Editor's note: Spanish story included below


DALLAS -When six new students first walked through the doors of Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School, they couldn't have known the path would lead them to some of the nation's most selective colleges.

Students Keyri B., Sofia D., Aida F., Princess T., Cecilia S., and Marisol M. turned seven years of hard work, perseverance, and mentorship into full-ride scholarships at their dream schools.

Each senior, a first-generation college student, earned a full four-year scholarship through QuestBridge, a highly competitive national program that connects high-achieving students with top universities.

They will attend Wellesley College, Boston College, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Notre Dame, and Oberlin College, where they plan to study law, medicine, marketing, and public service.

"With the help of my teachers, especially my college success advisor, I had the tools to feel confident enough to apply to a scholarship as competitive as Quest Bridge," Keyri said. "They've never given up on me and set standards for us to follow."

While their college paths will soon take them across the country, the students say their journeys were shaped long before senior year.

Sofia, who will be majoring in biology at Boston College, says Rangel engraved since sixth grade that it was never a question of if they are going to college, but where.

"At Rangel, they made small dreams a possibility because I always thought to myself that I'm not smart enough to be a surgeon," she said. "All my teachers and counselors made me realize my dreams are valid because I have the drive to pursue them and that anything is possible."

For Rangel students, college-going culture is intentional, said Erika Gonzalez, college success advisor who works closely with students beginning in their junior year.

Her role is that of a north star, guiding them through the hardest part of achieving their goal. She mentors students through SAT and ACT prep, essay revisions, parent guidance, and competitive scholarships like QuestBridge.

This year stands as one of the largest groups of QuestBridge matches Irma has celebrated.

"I get to be a little piece of their journey. It's an honor to work with them," Gonzalez said. "Questbridge is a beast of an application. We start preparing early on."

For many, earning a full scholarship also represents a milestone for their families.

"Being a Quest Bridge scholar is a window of opportunity I didn't know was open to me," Keyri said. "I want to open doors and leave them open for people after me. I feel extremely grateful for everybody who's helped me and pushed me to be the better version of myself."

Princess, who matched with Washington University in St. Louis and plans to major in political science, encourages students considering QuestBridge to stay focused on their own path.

"You can always achieve whatever you put your mind to," she said. "Don't compare yourself to others. Know that you are your biggest motivator, and the people who walk with you will become your best friends and biggest support system. I'm always going to love my day ones; these are my girls."

As they prepare to head to campuses hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of miles away, they carry with them the lessons Irma Rangel instilled early on: lead with confidence, support one another, and never shrink their dreams.

And this year, six of those dreams are becoming reality at once.


Spanish story:

Seis estudiantes de Irma Rangel reciben prestigiosas becas completas

DALLAS - Cuando seis estudiantes entraron por primera vez en Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School, no sospechaban que el camino delante las llevaría a algunas de las universidades más selectivas del país.

Keyri B., Sofía D., Aida F., Princess T., Cecilia S. y Marisol M. convirtieron siete años de esfuerzo, perseverancia y ayuda de sus mentores en becas completas para estudiar en las universidades de sus sueños.

Las seis estudiantes obtuvieron una beca de cuatro años otorgada por QuestBridge, un programa nacional competitivo que ayuda a los estudiantes de alto rendimiento a ir a las mejores universidades, y serán las primeras personas en sus familias en ir a la universidad

Asistirán a Wellesley College, Boston College, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Notre Dame y Oberlin College, donde estudiarán derecho, medicina, mercadotecnia y servicio público.

"Con la ayuda de mis maestros, especialmente mi consejera universitaria, tuve la herramientas para sentirme lo suficientemente confiada para solicitar una beca tan competitiva como la de QuestBridge", dijo Keyri. "Ellos nunca me abandonaron y me dieron las expectativas que debía cumplir".

Si bien los próximos pasos las llevarán a todos los rincones del país, las estudiantes dicen que su camino se forjó mucho tiempo antes de que empezaran 12.ºgrado.

Sofía, quien estudiará Biología en Boston College, dice que en Rangel, desde sexto grado, nunca fue una cuestión de si irían a la universidad, sino a cuál.

"En Rangel, mis sueños se convirtieron en posibilidades reales porque siempre pensé que no era lo suficientemente inteligente para ser cirujana", dijo. "Todos mis maestros y consejeros me hicieron ver que mis sueños eran válidos porque tengo el impulso para alcanzarlos y todo es posible".

En Rangel, ir a la universidad es el propósito, dijo Erika González, consejera universitaria que trabaja de cerca con las estudiantes a partir de 11.º grado.
González las ayuda a atravesar la parte más difícil para alcanzar sus metas. Ella prepara a las estudiantes para los exámenes SAT y ACT, revisa sus ensayos, orienta a los padres y las ayuda a solicitar becas competitivas como la de QuestBridge.

Este año se celebra a uno de los grupos más numerosos de becarias de QuestBridge en Rangel.

"Soy una pequeña parte de su historia. Es un honor trabajar con ellas", dijo González. "La solicitud de QuestBridge exige mucho. Nos empezamos a preparar con mucha antelación".

"Recibir esta beca me abrió las puertas a nuevas oportunidades", dijo Keyri. "Quiero que otras personas tengan la misma oportunidad que tuve yo. Estoy muy agradecida con todos los que me han ayudado e impulsado a ser mi mejor versión".

Princess, quien estudiará Politología en Washington University in St. Louis, anima a los estudiantes que consideran solicitar la beca de QuestBridge a mantenerse enfocados en su propio camino.

"Uno puede lograr lo que se proponga", dijo. "No hay que comprarse con los demás. Sé tu mayor motivador, y quienes te acompañen se convertirán en tus mejores amigos y tu red de apoyo. Siempre querré a las amigas que hice desde el primer día".

En cuanto se alistan para irse a escuelas ubicadas a cientos, y en algunos casos, miles de millas de distancia, llevan consigo enseñanzas que les impartieron en Rangel: liderar con seguridad, apoyarse una a otra y nunca empequeñecer sus sueños.

Y este año, seis de esos sueños se volverán realidad a la vez.

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